Switch-mode power converters using hall effect sensors and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

System and method for transmitting and receiving. For example, the system includes a transmitter, one or more wires, and a receiver connected to the transmitter through the one or more wires. The transmitter is configured to generate a first current, and the receiver is configured to receive the first current. The receiver includes a coil, a Hall effect sensor, and a comparator, and the Hall effect sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The coil is electrically isolated from the Hall effect sensor and configured to generate a magnetic field based at least in part on the first current flowing through the coil, and the Hall effect sensor is configured to sense the magnetic field and generate a first voltage at the first electrode and a second voltage at the second electrode. The comparator includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal.

1. CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No.201811494071.6, filed Dec. 7, 2018, incorporated by reference herein forall purposes.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to integratedcircuits. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention providepower converters using Hall effect sensors and methods thereof. Merelyby way of example, some embodiments of the invention have been appliedto switch-mode power converters. But it would be recognized that theinvention has a much broader range of applicability.

Power converters are widely used for consumer electronics such asportable devices. As an example, the power converters can convertelectric power from one form to another form, such as from alternatecurrent (AC) to direct current (DC), from DC to AC, from AC to AC, orfrom DC to DC. Some of the power converters are switch-mode converters.

Usually, an AC-to-DC switch-mode converter includes the primary side andthe secondary side. The primary side often receives an AC voltage thatmay be as high as 110 volts or 220 volts, and the secondary side oftengenerates a DC voltage that usually falls within a range of humansafety. In order to ensure safety of the AC-to-DC switch-mode converter,the primary side and the secondary side often communicate in a way thatavoids any undesirable electrical connection between the primary sideand the secondary side. For example, the primary side and the secondaryside communicate through a transformer, an optical coupler, and/or ahigh-voltage Y capacitor, but such as configurations usually aredifficult to integrate, incur high cost, and/or provide low reliability.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a conventional AC-to-DCswitch-mode power converter. The AC-to-DC switch-mode power converter100 includes a controller 110, a controller 120, and a transformer. Thecontroller 110 is used for primary side regulation (PSR), and thecontroller 120 is used for secondary side regulation (SSR).Additionally, the transformer includes a primary winding 130, thesecondary winding 132, and an auxiliary winding 134.

As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 110 and the controller 120 oftencommunicate through the transformer in order to perform synchronousrectification. If the controller 110 and the controller 120 attempt tocontrol the transformer at the same time, the transformer may sufferfrom short circuit, therefore reducing system reliability.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing a conventional system including aHall effect sensor. The system 200 includes a coil 210, wires 212 and214, a current source 220, a Hall effect sensor 230, a current source240, and wires 242 and 244. The Hall effect sensor 230 includeselectrodes 232, 234, 236, and 238. The coil 210 is used to generate amagnetic field, and the Hall effect sensor 230 is used to sense themagnetic field. The coil 210 is electrically isolated (e.g., by one ormore dielectric layers) from the Hall effect sensor 230 and the wires242 and 244.

As shown in FIG. 2, the current source 220 provides a current 222 thatflows from the wire 212 to the wire 214 through the coil 210 andgenerates the magnetic field (e.g., the magnetic field perpendicular tothe Hall effect sensor 230). The wire 212 is connected directly to thecoil 210, and the coil 210 is connected directly to the wire 214. Themagnetic field penetrates through the Hall effect sensor 230, and theHall effect sensor 230 is located within the magnetic field.

Additionally, the current source 240 provides a current 246 that flowsfrom the wire 242 to the wire 244 through the Hall effect sensor 230.The wire 242 is connected directly to the electrode 232 of the Halleffect sensor 230, and the electrode 236 of the Hall effect sensor 230is connected directly to the wire 244. The wire 244 is biased to aground voltage. In more detail, within the Hall effect sensor 230, thecurrent 246 flows from the electrode 232 to the electrode 236 under themagnetic field, generating a voltage between the electrodes 234 and 238.The generated voltage is equal to the voltage level of the electrode 238minus the voltage level of the electrode 234, and the generated voltagedepends on the magnetic field that is generated by the current 222flowing through the coil 210.

As an alternative, the current source 220 provides the current 222 thatflows from the wire 214 to the wire 212 through the coil 210. As anotheralternative, the current source 240 provides the current 246 that flowsfrom the wire 244 to the wire 242 through the Hall effect sensor 230 sothat the current 246 flows from the electrode 236 to the electrode 232.As yet another alternative, the current source 220 provides the current222 that flows from the wire 214 to the wire 212 through the coil 210,and the current source 240 provides the current 246 that flows from thewire 244 to the wire 242 through the Hall effect sensor 230 so that thecurrent 246 flows from the electrode 236 to the electrode 232.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional AC-to-DC switch-mode powerconverter often suffers from low system reliability. Hence it is highlydesirable to improve the techniques of switch-mode power converters.

3. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to integratedcircuits. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention providepower converters using Hall effect sensors and methods thereof. Merelyby way of example, some embodiments of the invention have been appliedto switch-mode power converters. But it would be recognized that theinvention has a much broader range of applicability.

According to certain embodiments, a system for transmitting andreceiving includes a transmitter, one or more wires, and a receiverconnected to the transmitter through the one or more wires. Thetransmitter is configured to generate a first current, and the receiveris configured to receive the first current. The receiver includes acoil, a Hall effect sensor, and a comparator, and the Hall effect sensorincludes a first electrode and a second electrode. The coil iselectrically isolated from the Hall effect sensor and configured togenerate a magnetic field based at least in part on the first currentflowing through the coil, and the Hall effect sensor is configured tosense the magnetic field and generate a first voltage at the firstelectrode and a second voltage at the second electrode. The comparatorincludes a first input terminal and a second input terminal. Thecomparator is configured to receive the first voltage at the first inputterminal, receive the second voltage at the second input terminal, andgenerate an output voltage based at least in part on the first voltageand the second voltage.

According to some embodiments, a system for a power converter includes afirst controller system including a first controller and a transmitter,one or more wires, and a second controller system connected to the firstcontroller system through the one or more wires. The second controllersystem includes a second controller and a receiver. The first controlleris configured to output a first control signal to a first switch toaffect a first current flowing through a primary winding of a powerconverter, and generate an input signal. The transmitter is configuredto receive the input signal and generate a current in response to theinput signal. The receiver includes a coil configured to generate amagnetic field based at least in part on the current flowing through thecoil, a Hall effect sensor configured to sense the magnetic field, and acomparator configured to receive a first sensor voltage and a secondsensor voltage from the Hall effect sensor. The receiver is configuredto receive the current and generate an output signal based at least inpart on the current. The second controller is configured to receive theoutput signal, and output a second control signal to a second switch toaffect a second current flowing through a secondary winding of the powerconverter. The secondary winding is coupled to the primary winding.

According to certain embodiments, a system for a power converterincludes a first controller system including a first controller and areceiver, one or more wires, and a second controller system connected tothe first controller system through the one or more wires, the secondcontroller system including a second controller and a transmitter. Thesecond controller is configured to output a first control signal to afirst switch to affect a first current flowing through a secondarywinding of a power converter, and generate an input signal. Thetransmitter is configured to receive the input signal and generate acurrent in response to the input signal. The receiver includes a coilconfigured to generate a magnetic field based at least in part on thecurrent flowing through the coil, a Hall effect sensor configured tosense the magnetic field, and a comparator configured to receive a firstsensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the Hall effect sensor.The receiver is configured to receive the current and generate an outputsignal based at least in part on the current. The first controller isconfigured to: receive the output signal, and output a second controlsignal to a second switch to affect a second current flowing through aprimary winding of the power converter. The primary winding is coupledto the secondary winding.

According to some embodiments, a system for a power converter includes afirst controller, a first transmitter, a first receiver, one or morefirst wires, one or more second wires, a second controller, a secondreceiver connected to the first transmitter through the one or morefirst wires, and a second transmitter connected to the first receiverthrough the one or more second wires. The first controller is configuredto: output a first control signal to a first switch to affect a firstcurrent flowing through a primary winding of a power converter; andgenerate a first input signal. The first transmitter is configured toreceive the first input signal and generate a first current in responseto the first input signal. The second receiver includes a first coilconfigured to generate a first magnetic field based at least in part onthe first current flowing through the first coil, a first Hall effectsensor configured to sense the first magnetic field, and a firstcomparator configured to receive a first sensor voltage and a secondsensor voltage from the first Hall effect sensor. The second receiver isconfigured to receive the first current and generate a first outputsignal based at least in part on the first current. The secondcontroller is configured to: receive the first output signal; output asecond control signal to a second switch to affect a second currentflowing through a secondary winding of the power converter, thesecondary winding being coupled to the primary winding; and generate asecond input signal. The second transmitter is configured to receive thesecond input signal and generate a second current in response to thesecond input signal. The first receiver includes a second coilconfigured to generate a second magnetic field based at least in part onthe second current flowing through the second coil, a second Hall effectsensor configured to sense the second magnetic field, and a secondcomparator configured to receive a third sensor voltage and a fourthsensor voltage from the second Hall effect sensor. The first receiver isconfigured to receive the second current and generate a second outputsignal based at least in part on the second current. The firstcontroller is configured to receive the second output signal.

According to certain embodiments, a method for transmitting andreceiving includes generating a first current, receiving the firstcurrent, generating, by a coil, a magnetic field based at least in parton the first current flowing through the coil, and sensing the magneticfield by a Hall effect sensor. The Hall effect sensor is electricallyisolated from the coil. Additionally, the method includes generating afirst voltage and a second voltage by the Hall effect sensor, receivingthe first voltage and the second voltage, and generating an outputvoltage based at least in part on the first voltage and the secondvoltage.

According to some embodiments, a method for a power converter includesoutputting a first control signal to a first switch to affect a firstcurrent flowing through a primary winding of a power converter,generating an input signal, receiving the input signal, generating acurrent in response to the input signal, and receiving the current.Additionally, the method includes generating a magnetic field by a coilbased at least in part on the current flowing through the coil, sensingthe magnetic field by a Hall effect sensor, receiving a first sensorvoltage and a second sensor voltage from the Hall effect sensor, andgenerating an output signal based at least in part on the first sensorvoltage and the second sensor voltage. Moreover, the method includesreceiving the output signal, and outputting a second control signal to asecond switch to affect a second current flowing through a secondarywinding of the power converter. The secondary winding is coupled to theprimary winding.

According to certain embodiments, a method for a power converterincludes outputting a first control signal to a first switch to affect afirst current flowing through a secondary winding of a power converter,generating an input signal, receiving the input signal, generating acurrent in response to the input signal, and receiving the current.Additionally, the method includes generating a magnetic field, by acoil, based at least in part on the current flowing through the coil,sensing the magnetic field by a Hall effect sensor, receiving a firstsensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the Hall effect sensor,and generating an output signal based at least in part on the firstsensor voltage and the second sensor voltage. Moreover, the methodincludes receiving the output signal, and outputting a second controlsignal to a second switch to affect a second current flowing through aprimary winding of the power converter. The primary winding is coupledto the secondary winding.

According to some embodiments, a method for a power converter includesoutputting a first control signal to a first switch to affect a firstcurrent flowing through a primary winding of a power converter,generating a first input signal, receiving the first input signal,generating a first current in response to the first input signal, andreceiving the first current. Additionally, the method includesgenerating a first magnetic field, by a first coil, based at least inpart on the first current flowing through the first coil, sensing thefirst magnetic field by a first Hall effect sensor, receiving a firstsensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the first Hall effectsensor, generating a first output signal based at least in part on thefirst sensor voltage and the second sensor voltage, receiving the firstoutput signal, and outputting a second control signal to a second switchto affect a second current flowing through a secondary winding of thepower converter. The secondary winding is coupled to the primarywinding. Moreover, the method includes generating a second input signal,receiving the second input signal, and generating a second current inresponse to the second input signal, receiving the second current. Also,the method includes generating a second magnetic field, by a secondcoil, based at least in part on the second current flowing through thesecond coil, sensing the second magnetic field by a second Hall effectsensor, receiving a third sensor voltage and a fourth sensor voltagefrom the second Hall effect sensor, generating a second output signalbased at least in part on the third sensor voltage and the fourth sensorvoltage, and receiving the second output signal.

Depending upon embodiment, one or more benefits may be achieved. Thesebenefits and various additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention can be fully appreciated with reference to thedetailed description and accompanying drawings that follow.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a conventional AC-to-DCswitch-mode power converter.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing a conventional system including aHall effect sensor.

FIG. 3A is a simplified diagram showing a transmitting and receivingsystem including a Hall effect sensor according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B is a simplified timing diagram for the transmitting andreceiving system as shown in FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram showing a transmitting and receivingsystem including one or more Hall effect sensors according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according toyet another embodiment of the present invention.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to integratedcircuits. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention providepower converters using Hall effect sensors and methods thereof. Merelyby way of example, some embodiments of the invention have been appliedto switch-mode power converters. But it would be recognized that theinvention has a much broader range of applicability.

FIG. 3A is a simplified diagram showing a transmitting and receivingsystem including a Hall effect sensor according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should notunduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. Thetransmitting and receiving system 300 includes a transmitter 302, areceiver 304, and wires 360 and 362. In some examples, the transmitter302 includes wires 312 and 314 and a current source 320. In certainexamples, the receiver 304 includes a coil 310, a Hall effect sensor330, a current source 340, wires 342 and 344, a comparator 350, andwires 352 and 354. For example, the transmitter 302 and the receiver 304are connected to each other by the wires 360 and 362. As an example, theHall effect sensor 330 includes electrodes 332, 334, 336, and 338.

In some embodiments, the transmitter 302 is located on a chip, and thereceiver 304 is located on another chip. For example, the chip for thetransmitter 302 and the chip for the receiver 304 are connected to eachother by the wires 360 and 362. In certain embodiments, the transmitter302 and the receiver 304 are located on a same chip. For example, thetransmitter 302 and the receiver 304 are connected to each other by thewires 360 and 362 within the same chip. In some embodiments, the coil310 is used to generate a magnetic field, and the Hall effect sensor 330is used to sense the magnetic field. In certain embodiments, the coil310 is electrically isolated (e.g., by one or more dielectric layers)from the Hall effect sensor 330 and the wires 342, 344, 352, and 354.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the current source 320 receives an input signal 380and generates a current 322 in response to the input signal 380, and thecurrent 322 flows from the wire 312 to the wire 314 through the wire360, the coil 310, and the wire 362 and generates the magnetic field(e.g., the magnetic field perpendicular to the Hall effect sensor 330),according to some embodiments. For example, the wire 312 is connecteddirectly to the wire 360, the wired 360 is connected directly to thecoil 310, the coil 310 is connected directly to the wire 362, and thewire 362 is connected directly to the wire 314. As an example, themagnetic field penetrates through the Hall effect sensor 330, and theHall effect sensor 330 is located within the magnetic field.

According to certain embodiments, the current source 340 provides acurrent 346 that flows from the wire 342 to the wire 344 through theHall effect sensor 330. In some examples, the wire 342 is connecteddirectly to the electrode 332 of the Hall effect sensor 330, and theelectrode 336 of the Hall effect sensor 330 is connected directly to thewire 344. As an example, the wire 344 is biased to a ground voltage(e.g., a primary-side ground voltage, a secondary-side ground voltage).In certain examples, within the Hall effect sensor 330, the current 346flows from the electrode 332 to the electrode 336 under the magneticfield, generating a voltage between the electrodes 334 and 338. As anexample, the generated voltage is equal to the voltage level of theelectrode 338 minus the voltage level of the electrode 334. For example,the generated voltage depends on the magnetic field that is generated bythe current 322 flowing through the coil 310.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the wire 352 is connected directly to the electrode334, and the wire 354 is connected directly to the electrode 338,according to some embodiments. In certain examples, the comparator 350includes input terminals 370 and 372, and an output terminal 374. Insome examples, the input terminal 370 (e.g., a negative electrode) ofthe comparator 350 receives the voltage level of the electrode 334through the wire 352, and the input terminal 372 (e.g., a positiveelectrode) of the comparator 350 receives the voltage level of theelectrode 338 through the wire 354. In certain examples, the comparator350 generates an output voltage 382 at the output terminal 374. Forexample, if the voltage level of the electrode 338 is higher than thevoltage level of the electrode 334, the output voltage 382 is at a logichigh level. As an example, if the voltage level of the electrode 338 islower than the voltage level of the electrode 334, the output voltage382 is at a logic low level.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the transmitter 302 receives the input signal 380,generates the current 322 in response to the input signal 380, andtransmits the current 322 to the receiver 304, and the receiver 304receives the current 322, generates the output voltage 382 in responseto the current 322, and outputs the output voltage 382.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, FIG. 3A is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. For example, the wire 344 is biased to a primary-sideground voltage. As an example, the wire 344 is biased to asecondary-side ground voltage.

FIG. 3B is a simplified timing diagram for the transmitting andreceiving system 300 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not undulylimit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. The waveform390 represents the current 322 as a function of time, and the waveform392 represents the output voltage 382 as a function of time.

In some examples, from time t₀ to time t₁, the current 322 remains at acurrent level I_(A) (e.g., at a current level representing a logic lowlevel) as shown by the waveform 390, and the output voltage 382 remainsat a voltage level V_(A) (e.g., at a voltage level representing a logiclow level) as shown by the waveform 392.

In certain examples, at time t₁, the current 322 changes from thecurrent level I_(A) (e.g., at the current level representing the logiclow level) to a current level I_(B) (e.g., at a current levelrepresenting a logic high level) as shown by the waveform 390, and theoutput voltage 382 changes from the voltage level V_(A) (e.g., at thevoltage level representing the logic low level) to a voltage level V_(B)(e.g., at a voltage level representing a logic high level) as shown bythe waveform 392.

In some examples, from time t₁ to time t₂, the current 322 remains atthe current level I_(B) (e.g., at the current level representing thelogic high level) as shown by the waveform 390, and the output voltage382 remains at the voltage level V_(B) (e.g., at the voltage levelrepresenting the logic high level) as shown by the waveform 392.

In certain examples, at time t₂, the current 322 changes from thecurrent level I_(B) (e.g., at the current level representing the logichigh level) to the current level I_(A) (e.g., at the current levelrepresenting the logic low level) as shown by the waveform 390, and theoutput voltage 382 changes from the voltage level V_(B) (e.g., at thevoltage level representing the logic high level) to the voltage levelV_(A) (e.g., at the voltage level representing the logic high level) asshown by the waveform 392.

In some examples, from time t₂ to time t₃, the current 322 remains atthe current level I_(A) (e.g., at the current level representing thelogic low level) as shown by the waveform 390, and the output voltage382 remains at the voltage level V_(A) (e.g., at the voltage levelrepresenting the logic low level) as shown by the waveform 392.

In certain examples, at time t₃, the current 322 changes from thecurrent level I_(A) (e.g., at the current level representing the logiclow level) to the current level I_(B) (e.g., at the current levelrepresenting the logic high level) as shown by the waveform 390, and theoutput voltage 382 changes from the voltage level V_(A) (e.g., at thevoltage level representing the logic low level) to the voltage levelV_(B) (e.g., at the voltage level representing the logic high level) asshown by the waveform 392.

In some examples, from time t₃ to time t₄, the current 322 remains atthe current level I_(B) (e.g., at the current level representing thelogic high level) as shown by the waveform 390, and the output voltage382 remains at the voltage level V_(B) (e.g., at the voltage levelrepresenting the logic high level) as shown by the waveform 392.

In certain examples, at time t₄, the current 322 changes from thecurrent level I_(B) (e.g., at the current level representing the logichigh level) to the current level I_(A) (e.g., at the current levelrepresenting the logic low level) as shown by the waveform 390, and theoutput voltage 382 changes from the voltage level V_(B) (e.g., at thevoltage level representing the logic high level) to the voltage levelV_(A) (e.g., at the voltage level representing the logic high level) asshown by the waveform 392.

In some examples, after time t₄, the current 322 remains at the currentlevel I_(A) (e.g., at the current level representing the logic lowlevel) as shown by the waveform 390, and the output voltage 382 remainsat the voltage level V_(A) (e.g., at the voltage level representing thelogic low level) as shown by the waveform 392.

As shown in FIG. 3B, if the current 322 is at the logic high level, theoutput voltage 382 is also at the logic high level, and if the current322 is at the logic low level, the output voltage 382 is also at thelogic low level, according to some embodiments. For example, the outputvoltage 382 is at the same logic level as the current 322. As anexample, the chip for the transmitter 302 sends the current 322 to thechip for the receiver 304, and the chip for the receiver 304 receivesthe current 322 and generates the output voltage 382 that has the samelogic level as the current 322. According to certain embodiments, if thecurrent 322 includes one or more pulses, the output voltage 382 alsoincludes one or more corresponding pulses, achieving communications fromthe transmitter 302 to the receiver 304 (e.g., from the chip for thetransmitter 302 to the chip for the receiver 304).

As mentioned above and further emphasized here, FIGS. 3A and 3B aremerely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims.One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations,alternatives, and modifications. For example, the current source 320provides the current 322 that flows from the wire 314 to the wire 312through the wire 362, the coil 310, and the wire 360. As an example, thecurrent source 340 provides the current 346 that flows from the wire 344to the wire 342 through the Hall effect sensor 330 so that the current346 flows from the electrode 336 to the electrode 332. In some examples,the current source 320 provides the current 322 that flows from the wire314 to the wire 312 through the wire 362, the coil 310, and the wire360, and the current source 340 provides the current 346 that flows fromthe wire 344 to the wire 342 through the Hall effect sensor 330 so thatthe current 346 flows from the electrode 336 to the electrode 332.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according to anembodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example,which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, andmodifications. The power converter 400 (e.g., a switch-mode powerconverter) includes a transistor 410, capacitors 412 and 414, a primarycontroller system 426, a secondary controller system 428, a primarywinding 416, a secondary winding 418, a power switch 430, wires 460 and462, a resistor 472, diodes 488, 490, 492, 494, 496 and 498. Forexample, the transistor 410 is a MOSFET. As an example, the power switch430 is a transistor.

In some examples, the primary controller system 426 includes atransmitter 402, a primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller 406, and aresistor 470, and the secondary controller system 428 includes asecondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 408 and a receiver 404. Forexample, the transmitter 402 and the receiver 404 are connected to eachother by the wires 460 and 462. In certain examples, the primarycontroller system 426 is located on a chip, and the secondary controllersystem 428 is located on another chip. For example, the chip for theprimary controller system 426 and the chip for the secondary controllersystem 428 are connected to each other by the wires 460 and 462.

In some embodiments, the primary controller system 426 generates acontrol signal 464, which is used to open (e.g., turn off) or close(e.g., turn on) the power switch 430 to affect a primary current thatflows through the primary winding 416 of the power converter 400. Forexample, when the power switch 430 is closed (e.g., turned on), theenergy is stored in a transformer that includes the primary winding 416and the secondary winding 418. As an example, when the power switch 430is open (e.g., turned off), the stored energy is transferred to thesecondary side.

In certain embodiments, the secondary controller system 428 generates acontrol signal 466, which is used to turn off or turn on the transistor410 to affect a secondary current 452 that flows through the secondarywinding 418 of the power converter 400. For example, the power switch430 remains open (e.g., turned off) when the transistor 410 is turnedon. As an example, during the process of energy transfer (e.g., during ademagnetization process), the transistor 410 is turned on and at least apart of the secondary current 452 flows through the transistor 410. Asan example, at the end of the energy transfer process (e.g., at the endof the demagnetization process), the secondary current 452 has a lowvalue (e.g., nearly zero) and the transistor 410 is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 4, the primary controller system 426 generates thecontrol signal 464 and a current 422, sends the control signal 464 tothe power switch 430, and sends the current 422 to the secondarycontroller system 428, and the secondary controller system 428 receivesthe current 422, generates the control signal 466 in response to thecurrent 422, and sends the control signal 466 to the transistor 410,according to certain embodiments.

In some examples, the primary controller system 426 includes thetransmitter 402, the primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller 406, andthe resistor 470. For examples, the primary-side-regulation (PSR)controller 406 generates the control signal 464 and the input signal480, sends the control signal 464 to the power switch 430, and sends theinput signal 480 to the transmitter 402. As an example, the transmitter402 receives the input signal 480, generates the current 422 in responseto the input signal 480, and transmits the current 422 to the receiver404 of the secondary controller system 428.

In certain examples, the secondary controller system 428 includes thesecondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 408 and the receiver 404. Forexample, the receiver 404 receives the current 422, generates an outputvoltage 482 in response to the current 422, and outputs the outputvoltage 482. As an example, the secondary-side-regulation (SSR)controller 408 receives the output voltage 482, generates the controlsignal 466 in response to the output voltage 482, and sends the controlsignal 466 to the transistor 410.

According to some embodiments, the transmitter 402 is the same as thetransmitter 302, the receiver 404 is the same as the receiver 304, thewire 460 is the same as the wire 360, the wire 462 is the same as thewire 362, the input signal 480 is the same as the input signal 380, thecurrent 422 is the same as the current 322, and the output voltage 482is the same as the output voltage 382.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, FIG. 4 is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. For example, the primary controller system 426 andthe secondary controller system 428 are integrated on a same chip.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according toanother embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. The power converter 500 (e.g., a switch-mode powerconverter) includes a transistor 510, capacitors 512 and 514, a primarycontroller system 526, a secondary controller system 528, a primarywinding 516, a secondary winding 518, a power switch 530, wires 560 and562, a resistor 572, diodes 588, 590, 592, 594, 596 and 598. Forexample, the transistor 510 is a MOSFET. As an example, the power switch530 is a transistor.

In some examples, the primary controller system 526 includes a receiver504 and a primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller 506, and thesecondary controller system 528 includes a transmitter 502, asecondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 508 and a resistor 570. Forexample, the transmitter 502 and the receiver 504 are connected to eachother by the wires 560 and 562. In certain examples, the primarycontroller system 526 is located on a chip, and the secondary controllersystem 528 is located on another chip. For example, the chip for theprimary controller system 526 and the chip for the secondary controllersystem 528 are connected to each other by the wires 560 and 562.

In some embodiments, the primary controller system 526 generates acontrol signal 564, which is used to open (e.g., turn off) or close(e.g., turn on) the power switch 530 to affect a primary current thatflows through the primary winding 516 of the power converter 500. Forexample, when the power switch 530 is closed (e.g., turned on), theenergy is stored in a transformer that includes the primary winding 516and the secondary winding 518. As an example, when the power switch 530is open (e.g., turned off), the stored energy is transferred to thesecondary side.

In certain embodiments, the secondary controller system 528 generates acontrol signal 566, which is used to turn off or turn on the transistor510 to affect a secondary current 552 that flows through the secondarywinding 518 of the power converter 500. For example, the power switch530 remains open (e.g., turned off) when the transistor 510 is turnedon. As an example, during the process of energy transfer (e.g., during ademagnetization process), the transistor 510 is turned on and at least apart of the secondary current 552 flows through the transistor 510. Asan example, at the end of the energy transfer process (e.g., at the endof the demagnetization process), the secondary current 552 has a lowvalue (e.g., nearly zero) and the transistor 510 is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 5, the secondary controller system 528 generates thecontrol signal 566 and a current 522, sends the control signal 566 tothe transistor 510, and sends the current 522 to the primary controllersystem 526, and the primary controller system 526 receives the current522, generates the control signal 564 in response to the current 522,and sends the control signal 564 to the power switch 530, according tocertain embodiments.

In some examples, the secondary controller system 528 includes thetransmitter 502, the secondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 508, andthe resistor 570. For examples, the secondary-side-regulation (SSR)controller 508 generates the control signal 566 and the input signal580, sends the control signal 566 to the transistor 510, and sends theinput signal 580 to the transmitter 502. As an example, the transmitter502 receives the input signal 580, generates the current 522 in responseto the input signal 580, and transmits the current 522 to the receiver504 of the primary controller system 526.

In certain examples, the primary controller system 526 includes theprimary-side-regulation (PSR) controller 506 and the receiver 504. Forexample, the receiver 504 receives the current 522, generates an outputvoltage 582 in response to the current 422, and outputs the outputvoltage 582. As an example, the primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller506 receives the output voltage 582, generates the control signal 564 inresponse to the output voltage 582, and sends the control signal 564 tothe power switch 530.

According to some embodiments, the transmitter 502 is the same as thetransmitter 302, the receiver 504 is the same as the receiver 304, thewire 560 is the same as the wire 360, the wire 562 is the same as thewire 362, the input signal 580 is the same as the input signal 380, thecurrent 522 is the same as the current 322, the output voltage 582 isthe same as the output voltage 382.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, FIG. 5 is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. For example, the primary controller system 526 andthe secondary controller system 528 are integrated on a same chip.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram showing a transmitting and receivingsystem including one or more Hall effect sensors according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example,which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, andmodifications. The transmitting and receiving system 600 includestransmitters 602 and 702, receivers 604 and 704, and wires 660, 662, 760and 762.

In some examples, the transmitter 602 includes wires 612 and 614 and acurrent source 620. In certain examples, the receiver 604 includes acoil 610, a Hall effect sensor 630, a current source 640, wires 642 and644, a comparator 650, and wires 652 and 654. For example, thetransmitter 602 and the receiver 604 are connected to each other by thewires 660 and 662.

In some examples, the transmitter 702 includes wires 712 and 714 and acurrent source 720. In certain examples, the receiver 704 includes acoil 710, a Hall effect sensor 730, a current source 740, wires 742 and744, a comparator 750, and wires 752 and 754. For example, thetransmitter 702 and the receiver 704 are connected to each other by thewires 760 and 762.

According to certain embodiments, the transmitter 602 and the receiver704 are located on a chip 690, and the receiver 604 and the transmitter702 are located on a chip 692. For example, the chip 690 for thetransmitter 602 and the receiver 704 and the chip 692 for the receiver604 and the transmitter 702 are connected to each other by the wires660, 662, 760 and 762.

According to some embodiments, the coil 610 is used to generate amagnetic field, and the Hall effect sensor 630 is used to sense themagnetic field generated by the coil 610, and the coil 710 is used togenerate a magnetic field, and the Hall effect sensor 730 is used tosense the magnetic field generated by the coil 710. According to certainembodiments, the coil 610 is electrically isolated (e.g., by one or moredielectric layers) from the Hall effect sensor 630 and the wires 642,644, 652, and 654, and the coil 710 is electrically isolated (e.g., byone or more dielectric layers) from the Hall effect sensor 730 and thewires 742, 744, 752, and 754.

As shown in FIG. 6, the current source 620 receives an input signal 680and generates a current 622 in response to the input signal 680, and thecurrent 622 flows from the wire 612 to the wire 614 through the wire660, the coil 610, and the wire 662 and generates the magnetic field(e.g., the magnetic field perpendicular to the Hall effect sensor 630),according to some embodiments. As an example, the magnetic fieldgenerated by the current 622 flowing through the coil 610 penetratesthrough the Hall effect sensor 630, and the Hall effect sensor 630 islocated within the magnetic field.

According to certain embodiments, the current source 640 provides acurrent flowing from the wire 642 to the wire 644 through the Halleffect sensor 630. For example, the wire 644 is biased to asecondary-side ground voltage. As an example, within the Hall effectsensor 630, the current flowing from a first electrode to a secondelectrode of the Hall effect sensor 630 generates a voltage between athird electrode and a fourth electrode of the Hall effect sensor 630under the magnetic field. For example, the generated voltage depends onthe magnetic field generated by the current 622 flowing through the coil610.

According to some embodiments, an input terminal (e.g., a negativeelectrode) of the comparator 650 receives the voltage level of the thirdelectrode of the Hall effect sensor 630 through the wire 652, andanother input terminal (e.g., a positive electrode) of the comparator650 receives the voltage level of the fourth electrode of the Halleffect sensor 630 through the wire 654. In certain examples, thecomparator 650 generates an output voltage 682 at an output terminal ofthe comparator 650, in response to the voltage levels received at thetwo input terminals of the comparator 650.

As shown in FIG. 6, the current source 720 receives an input signal 780and generates a current 722 in response to the input signal 780, and thecurrent 722 flows from the wire 712 to the wire 714 through the wire760, the coil 710, and the wire 762 and generates the magnetic field(e.g., the magnetic field perpendicular to the Hall effect sensor 730),according to some embodiments. As an example, the magnetic fieldgenerated by the current 722 flowing through the coil 710 penetratesthrough the Hall effect sensor 730, and the Hall effect sensor 730 islocated within the magnetic field.

According to certain embodiments, the current source 740 provides acurrent flowing from the wire 742 to the wire 744 through the Halleffect sensor 730. For example, the wire 744 is biased to a primary-sideground voltage. As an example, within the Hall effect sensor 730, thecurrent flowing from a first electrode to a second electrode of the Halleffect sensor 730 generates a voltage between a third electrode and afourth electrode of the Hall effect sensor 730 under the magnetic field.For example, the generated voltage depends on the magnetic fieldgenerated by the current 722 flowing through the coil 710.

According to some embodiments, an input terminal (e.g., a negativeelectrode) of the comparator 750 receives the voltage level of the thirdelectrode of the Hall effect sensor 730 through the wire 752, andanother input terminal (e.g., a positive electrode) of the comparator750 receives the voltage level of the fourth electrode of the Halleffect sensor 730 through the wire 754. In certain examples, thecomparator 750 generates an output voltage 782 at an output terminal ofthe comparator 750, in response to the voltage levels received at thetwo input terminals of the comparator 750.

In some embodiments, the transmitter 602 receives the input signal 680,generates the current 622 in response to the input signal 680, andtransmits the current 622 to the receiver 604, and the receiver 604receives the current 622, generates the output voltage 682 in responseto the current 622, and outputs the output voltage 682. In certainembodiments, the transmitter 702 receives the input signal 780,generates the current 722 in response to the input signal 780, andtransmits the current 722 to the receiver 704, and the receiver 704receives the current 722, generates the output voltage 782 in responseto the current 722, and outputs the output voltage 782.

In some examples, the chip 690 for the transmitter 602 and the receiver704 sends the current 622 to the chip 692 for the receiver 604 and thetransmitter 702, which receives the current 622 and generates the outputvoltage 682 that has the same logic level as the current 622. In certainexamples, the chip 692 for the receiver 604 and the transmitter 702sends the current 722 to the chip 690 for the transmitter 602 and thereceiver 704, which receives the current 722 and generates the outputvoltage 782 that has the same logic level as the current 722.

According to certain embodiments, if the current 622 includes one ormore pulses, the output voltage 682 also includes one or morecorresponding pulses, achieving communications from the transmitter 602to the receiver 604, and if the current 722 includes one or more pulses,the output voltage 782 also includes one or more corresponding pulses,achieving communications from the transmitter 702 to the receiver 704.For example, there are communications from the chip 690 for thetransmitter 602 and the receiver 704 to the chip 692 for the receiver604 and the transmitter 702, and there are communications from the chip692 for the receiver 604 and the transmitter 702 to the chip 690 for thetransmitter 602 and the receiver 704, achieving bidirectionalcommunications between the chips 690 and 692.

According to certain embodiments, the transmitter 602 is the same as thetransmitter 302, the receiver 604 is the same as the receiver 304, thetransmitter 702 is the same as the transmitter 302, the receiver 704 isthe same as the receiver 304, the wire 660 is the same as the wire 360,the wire 662 is the same as the wire 362, the wire 760 is the same asthe wire 360, and the wire 762 is the same as the wire 362.

For example, the wire 612 is the same as the wire 312, the wire 614 isthe same as the wire 314, the current source 620 is the same as thecurrent source 320, the coil 610 is the same as the coil 310, the Halleffect sensor 630 is the same as the Hall effect sensor 330, the currentsource 640 is the same as the current source 340, the wire 642 is thesame as the wire 342, the wire 644 is the same as the wire 344 (e.g.,biased to a primary-side ground voltage), the comparator 650 is the sameas the comparator 350, the wire 652 is the same as the wire 352, and thewire 654 is the same as the wire 354. As an example, the wire 712 is thesame as the wire 312, the wire 714 is the same as the wire 314, thecurrent source 720 is the same as the current source 320, the coil 710is the same as the coil 310, the Hall effect sensor 730 is the same asthe Hall effect sensor 330, the current source 740 is the same as thecurrent source 340, the wire 742 is the same as the wire 342, the wire744 is the same as the wire 344 (e.g., biased to a secondary-side groundvoltage), the comparator 750 is the same as the comparator 350, the wire752 is the same as the wire 352, and the wire 754 is the same as thewire 354.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, FIG. 6 is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. For example, the transmitters 602 and 702 and thereceivers 604 and 704 are located on a same chip. As an example, withinthe same chip, the transmitter 602 and the receiver 604 are connected toeach other by the wires 660 and 662, and the receiver 704 and thetransmitter 702 are connected to each other by the wires 760 and 762.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according toanother embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. The power converter 800 (e.g., a switch-mode powerconverter) includes a transistor 810, capacitors 812 and 814, a primarycontroller system 826, a secondary controller system 828, a primarywinding 816, a secondary winding 818, a power switch 830, wires 860,862, 960 and 962, a resistor 872, diodes 888, 890, 892, 894, 896 and898. For example, the transistor 810 is a MOSFET. As an example, thepower switch 830 is a transistor.

In some examples, the primary controller system 826 includes atransmitter 802, a primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller 806, and areceiver 904, and the secondary controller system 828 includes areceiver 804, a secondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 808, and atransmitter 902. For example, the transmitter 802 and the receiver 804are connected to each other by the wires 860 and 862, and the receiver904 and the transmitter 902 are connected to each other by the wires 960and 962. In certain examples, the primary controller system 826 islocated on a chip, and the secondary controller system 828 is located onanother chip. For example, the chip for the primary controller system826 and the chip for the secondary controller system 828 are connectedto each other by the wires 860, 862, 960 and 962.

In some embodiments, the primary controller system 826 generates acontrol signal 864, which is used to open (e.g., turn off) or close(e.g., turn on) the power switch 830 to affect a primary current thatflows through the primary winding 816 of the power converter 800. Forexample, when the power switch 830 is closed (e.g., turned on), theenergy is stored in a transformer that includes the primary winding 816and the secondary winding 818. As an example, when the power switch 830is open (e.g., turned off), the stored energy is transferred to thesecondary side.

In certain embodiments, the secondary controller system 828 generates acontrol signal 866, which is used to turn off or turn on the transistor810 to affect a secondary current 852 that flows through the secondarywinding 818 of the power converter 800. For example, the power switch830 remains open (e.g., turned off) when the transistor 810 is turnedon. As an example, during the process of energy transfer (e.g., during ademagnetization process), the transistor 810 is turned on and at least apart of the secondary current 852 flows through the transistor 810. Asan example, at the end of the energy transfer process (e.g., at the endof the demagnetization process), the secondary current 852 has a lowvalue (e.g., nearly zero) and the transistor 810 is turned off.

According to certain embodiments, the primary controller system 826generates a current 822 and sends the current 822 to the secondarycontroller system 828, and the secondary controller system 828 receivesthe current 822, generates the control signal 866 in response to thecurrent 822, and sends the control signal 866 to the transistor 810.According to some embodiments, the secondary controller system 828generates a current 922 and sends the current 922 to the primarycontroller system 826, and the primary controller system 826 receivesthe current 922, generates the control signal 864 in response to thecurrent 922, and sends the control signal 864 to the power switch 830.

In some examples, the primary controller system 826 includes thetransmitter 802, the primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller 806, andthe receiver 904, and the secondary controller system 828 includes thereceiver 804, the secondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 808, andthe transmitter 902. For example, the primary-side-regulation (PSR)controller 806 generates the input signal 880 and sends the input signal880 to the transmitter 802, and the transmitter 802 receives the inputsignal 880, generates the current 822 in response to the input signal880, and transmits the current 822 to the receiver 804 of the secondarycontroller system 828. As an example, the receiver 804 receives thecurrent 822, generates an output voltage 882 in response to the current822, and outputs the output voltage 882, and thesecondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 808 receives the outputvoltage 882, generates the control signal 866 in response to the outputvoltage 882, and sends the control signal 866 to the transistor 810.

For example, the secondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 808generates the input signal 980 and sends the input signal 980 to thetransmitter 902, and the transmitter 902 receives the input signal 980,generates the current 922 in response to the input signal 980, andtransmits the current 922 to the receiver 904 of the primary controllersystem 826. As an example, the receiver 904 receives the current 922,generates an output voltage 982 in response to the current 922, andoutputs the output voltage 982, and the primary-side-regulation (PSR)controller 806 receives the output voltage 982, generates the controlsignal 864 in response to the output voltage 982, and sends the controlsignal 864 to the power switch 830.

According to some embodiments, the transmitter 802 is the same as thetransmitter 602, the receiver 804 is the same as the receiver 604, thewire 860 is the same as the wire 660, the wire 862 is the same as thewire 662, the input signal 880 is the same as the input signal 680, thecurrent 822 is the same as the current 622, and the output voltage 882is the same as the output voltage 682. According to certain embodiments,the transmitter 902 is the same as the transmitter 702, the receiver 904is the same as the receiver 704, the wire 960 is the same as the wire760, the wire 962 is the same as the wire 762, the input signal 980 isthe same as the input signal 780, the current 922 is the same as thecurrent 722, and the output voltage 982 is the same as the outputvoltage 782.

In some embodiments, the transmitter 1002 is the same as the transmitter802, the receiver 1004 is the same as the receiver 804, the wire 1060 isthe same as the wire 860, the wire 1062 is the same as the wire 862, theinput signal 1080 is the same as the input signal 880, the current 1022is the same as the current 822, and the output voltage 1082 is the sameas the output voltage 882. In certain embodiments, the transmitter 1102is the same as the transmitter 902, the receiver 1104 is the same as thereceiver 904, the wire 1160 is the same as the wire 960, the wire 1162is the same as the wire 962, the input signal 1180 is the same as theinput signal 980, the current 1122 is the same as the current 922, andthe output voltage 1182 is the same as the output voltage 982.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, FIG. 7 is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. For example, the primary controller system 826 andthe secondary controller system 828 are integrated on a same chip asshown in FIG. 8, in order to, for example, simplify chip peripheraldesign and improve system reliability.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing a power converter according toyet another embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merelyan example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. Oneof ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations,alternatives, and modifications. The power converter 1000 (e.g., aswitch-mode power converter) includes a transistor 1010, capacitors 1012and 1014, a controller system 1027, a primary winding 1016, a secondarywinding 1018, a power switch 1030, wires 1060, 1062, 1160 and 1162, aresistor 1072, diodes 1088, 1090, 1092, 1094, 1096 and 1098. Forexample, the transistor 1010 is a MOSFET. As an example, the powerswitch 1030 is a transistor.

In some examples, the controller system 1027 includes transmitters 1002and 1102, receivers 1004 and 1104, a primary-side-regulation (PSR)controller 1006, and a secondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 1008.For example, the transmitter 1002 and the receiver 1004 are connected toeach other by the wires 1060 and 1062, and the receiver 1104 and thetransmitter 1102 are connected to each other by the wires 1160 and 1162.In certain examples, the controller system 1027 is located on a chip.

In some embodiments, the controller system 1027 generates a controlsignal 1064, which is used to open (e.g., turn off) or close (e.g., turnon) the power switch 1030 to affect a primary current that flows throughthe primary winding 1016 of the power converter 1000. As an example, thecontroller system 1027 also generates a control signal 1066, which isused to turn off or turn on the transistor 1010 to affect a secondarycurrent 1052 that flows through the secondary winding 1018 of the powerconverter 1000. For example, when the power switch 1030 is closed (e.g.,turned on), the energy is stored in a transformer that includes theprimary winding 1016 and the secondary winding 1018. As an example, whenthe power switch 1030 is open (e.g., turned off), the stored energy istransferred to the secondary side.

For example, the power switch 1030 remains open (e.g., turned off) whenthe transistor 1010 is turned on. As an example, during the process ofenergy transfer (e.g., during a demagnetization process), the transistor1010 is turned on and at least a part of the secondary current 1052flows through the transistor 1010. As an example, at the end of theenergy transfer process (e.g., at the end of the demagnetizationprocess), the secondary current 1052 has a low value (e.g., nearly zero)and the transistor 1010 is turned off.

In some examples, the primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller 1006generates an input signal 1080 and sends the input signal 1080 to thetransmitter 1002, and the transmitter 1002 receives the input signal1080, generates the current 1022 in response to the input signal 1080,and transmits the current 1022 to the receiver 1004. In certainexamples, the receiver 1004 receives the current 1022, generates anoutput voltage 1082 in response to the current 1022, and outputs theoutput voltage 1082, and the secondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller1008 receives the output voltage 1082, generates the control signal 1066in response to the output voltage 1082, and sends the control signal1066 to the transistor 1010.

In some examples, the secondary-side-regulation (SSR) controller 1008generates the input signal 1180 and sends the input signal 1180 to thetransmitter 1102, and the transmitter 1102 receives the input signal1180, generates the current 1122 in response to the input signal 1180,and transmits the current 1122 to the receiver 1104. In certainexamples, the receiver 1104 receives the current 1122, generates anoutput voltage 1182 in response to the current 1122, and outputs theoutput voltage 1182, and the primary-side-regulation (PSR) controller1006 receives the output voltage 1182, generates the control signal 1064in response to the output voltage 1182, and sends the control signal1064 to the power switch 1030.

According to some embodiments, the transmitter 1002 is the same as thetransmitter 602, the receiver 1004 is the same as the receiver 604, thewire 1060 is the same as the wire 660, the wire 1062 is the same as thewire 662, the input signal 1080 is the same as the input signal 680, thecurrent 1022 is the same as the current 622, and the output voltage 1082is the same as the output voltage 682.

According to certain embodiments, the transmitter 1102 is the same asthe transmitter 702, the receiver 1104 is the same as the receiver 704,the wire 1160 is the same as the wire 760, the wire 1162 is the same asthe wire 762, the input signal 1180 is the same as the input signal 780,the current 1122 is the same as the current 722, and the output voltage1182 is the same as the output voltage 782.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methodsusing one or more Hall effect sensors to achieve isolationcommunications between a primary-side controller (e.g., the controller406, the controller 506, the controller 806, the controller 1006) and asecondary-side controller (e.g., the controller 408, the controller 508,the controller 808, the controller 1008). For example, the primary-sidecontroller and the secondary-side controller can be easily integrated.As an example, the system cost is lowered, and the system reliability isimproved.

According to certain embodiments, a system for transmitting andreceiving (e.g., the system 300) includes a transmitter (e.g., thetransmitter 302), one or more wires (e.g., the wire 360 and/or the wire362), and a receiver (e.g., the receiver 304) connected to thetransmitter through the one or more wires. The transmitter is configuredto generate a first current (e.g., the current 322), and the receiver isconfigured to receive the first current. The receiver includes a coil(e.g., the coil 310), a Hall effect sensor (e.g., the Hall effect sensor330), and a comparator (e.g., the comparator 350), and the Hall effectsensor includes a first electrode (e.g., the electrode 334) and a secondelectrode (e.g., the electrode 338). The coil is electrically isolatedfrom the Hall effect sensor and configured to generate a magnetic fieldbased at least in part on the first current flowing through the coil,and the Hall effect sensor is configured to sense the magnetic field andgenerate a first voltage at the first electrode and a second voltage atthe second electrode. The comparator includes a first input terminal(e.g., the input terminal 370) and a second input terminal (e.g., theinput terminal 372). The comparator is configured to receive the firstvoltage at the first input terminal, receive the second voltage at thesecond input terminal, and generate an output voltage (e.g., the outputvoltage 382) based at least in part on the first voltage and the secondvoltage. For example, the system 300 is implemented according to atleast FIG. 3A.

In some examples, the receiver is further configured to: in response tothe first current increasing from a first current magnitude (e.g.,I_(A)) to a second current magnitude (e.g., I_(B)), increase the outputvoltage from a first voltage magnitude (e.g., V_(A)) to a second voltagemagnitude (e.g., V_(B)); and in response to the first current decreasingfrom the second current magnitude to the first current magnitude,decrease the output voltage from the second voltage magnitude to thefirst voltage magnitude. In certain examples, the Hall effect sensorfurther includes a third electrode (e.g., the electrode 332) and afourth electrode (e.g., the electrode 336); and the receiver furtherincludes a current source (e.g., the current source 340) configured togenerate a second current (e.g., the current 346) flowing from the thirdelectrode to the fourth electrode.

In some examples, the transmitter is further configured to receive aninput signal (e.g., the input signal 380) and generate the first current(e.g., the current 322) in response to the input signal. In certainexamples, the transmitter includes a current source (e.g., the currentsource 320) configured to receive the input signal and generate thefirst current in response to the input signal.

According to some embodiments, a system for a power converter (e.g., thepower converter 400) includes a first controller system (e.g., theprimary controller system 426) including a first controller (e.g., theprimary-side-regulation controller 406) and a transmitter (e.g., thetransmitter 402), one or more wires (e.g., the wire 460 and/or the wire462), and a second controller system (e.g., the secondary controllersystem 428) connected to the first controller system through the one ormore wires. The second controller system includes a second controller(e.g., the secondary-side-regulation controller 408) and a receiver(e.g., the receiver 404). The first controller is configured to output afirst control signal (e.g., the control signal 464) to a first switch(e.g., the power switch 430) to affect a first current flowing through aprimary winding of a power converter, and generate an input signal(e.g., the input signal 480). The transmitter is configured to receivethe input signal and generate a current (e.g., the current 422) inresponse to the input signal. The receiver includes a coil (e.g., thecoil 310) configured to generate a magnetic field based at least in parton the current flowing through the coil, a Hall effect sensor (e.g., theHall effect sensor 330) configured to sense the magnetic field, and acomparator (e.g., the comparator 350) configured to receive a firstsensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the Hall effect sensor.The receiver is configured to receive the current and generate an outputsignal (e.g., the output voltage 482) based at least in part on thecurrent. The second controller is configured to receive the outputsignal, and output a second control signal (e.g., the control signal466) to a second switch (e.g., the transistor 410) to affect a secondcurrent flowing through a secondary winding of the power converter. Thesecondary winding is coupled to the primary winding. For example, thesystem is implemented according to at least FIG. 4.

In certain examples, the Hall effect sensor includes a first electrode(e.g., the electrode 334) and a second electrode (e.g., the electrode338), and the comparator includes a first input terminal (e.g., theinput terminal 370) and a second input terminal (e.g., the inputterminal 372). In some examples, the Hall effect sensor is configured togenerate the first sensor voltage at the first electrode and the secondsensor voltage at the second electrode. In certain examples, thecomparator is configured to receive the first sensor voltage at thefirst input terminal, receive the second sensor voltage at the secondinput terminal, and generate the output signal based at least in part onthe first sensor voltage and the second sensor voltage.

According to certain embodiments, a system for a power converter (e.g.,the power converter 500) includes a first controller system (e.g., theprimary controller system 526) including a first controller (e.g., theprimary-side-regulation controller 506) and a receiver (e.g., thereceiver 504), one or more wires (e.g., the wire 560 and/or the wire562), and a second controller system (e.g., the secondary controllersystem 528) connected to the first controller system through the one ormore wires, the second controller system including a second controller(e.g., the secondary-side-regulation controller 508) and a transmitter(e.g., the transmitter 502). The second controller is configured tooutput a first control signal (e.g., the control signal 566) to a firstswitch (e.g., the transistor 510) to affect a first current flowingthrough a secondary winding of a power converter, and generate an inputsignal (e.g., the input signal 580). The transmitter is configured toreceive the input signal and generate a current (e.g., the current 522)in response to the input signal. The receiver includes a coil (e.g., thecoil 310) configured to generate a magnetic field based at least in parton the current flowing through the coil, a Hall effect sensor (e.g., theHall effect sensor 330) configured to sense the magnetic field, and acomparator (e.g., the comparator 350) configured to receive a firstsensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the Hall effect sensor.The receiver is configured to receive the current and generate an outputsignal (e.g., the output voltage 582) based at least in part on thecurrent. The first controller is configured to: receive the outputsignal, and output a second control signal (e.g., the control signal564) to a second switch (e.g., the power switch 530) to affect a secondcurrent flowing through a primary winding of the power converter. Theprimary winding is coupled to the secondary winding. For example, thesystem is implemented according to at least FIG. 5.

In some examples, the Hall effect sensor includes a first electrode(e.g., the electrode 334) and a second electrode (e.g., the electrode338), and the comparator includes a first input terminal (e.g., theinput terminal 370) and a second input terminal (e.g., the inputterminal 372). In certain examples, the Hall effect sensor is configuredto generate the first sensor voltage at the first electrode and thesecond sensor voltage at the second electrode. In some examples, thecomparator is configured to receive the first sensor voltage at thefirst input terminal, receive the second sensor voltage at the secondinput terminal, and generate the output signal based at least in part onthe first sensor voltage and the second sensor voltage.

According to some embodiments, a system for a power converter (e.g., thepower converter 800 and/or the power converter 1000) includes a firstcontroller (e.g., the primary-side-regulation controller 806), a firsttransmitter (e.g., the transmitter 802), a first receiver (e.g., thereceiver 904), one or more first wires (e.g., the wire 860 and/or thewire 862), one or more second wires (e.g., the wire 960 and/or the wire962), a second controller (e.g., the secondary-side-regulationcontroller 808), a second receiver (e.g., the receiver 804) connected tothe first transmitter (e.g., the transmitter 802) through the one ormore first wires (e.g., the wire 860 and/or the wire 862), and a secondtransmitter (e.g., the transmitter 902) connected to the first receiver(e.g., the receiver 904) through the one or more second wires (e.g., thewire 960 and/or the wire 962). The first controller (e.g., theprimary-side-regulation controller 806) is configured to: output a firstcontrol signal (e.g., the control signal 864) to a first switch (e.g.,the power switch 830) to affect a first current flowing through aprimary winding of a power converter; and generate a first input signal(e.g., the input signal 880). The first transmitter (e.g., thetransmitter 802) is configured to receive the first input signal andgenerate a first current (e.g., the current 822) in response to thefirst input signal. The second receiver (e.g., the receiver 804)includes a first coil (e.g., the coil 610) configured to generate afirst magnetic field based at least in part on the first current flowingthrough the first coil, a first Hall effect sensor (e.g., the Halleffect sensor 630) configured to sense the first magnetic field, and afirst comparator (e.g., the comparator 650) configured to receive afirst sensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the first Halleffect sensor. The second receiver (e.g., the receiver 804) isconfigured to receive the first current and generate a first outputsignal (e.g., the output voltage 882) based at least in part on thefirst current. The second controller (e.g., thesecondary-side-regulation controller 808) is configured to: receive thefirst output signal; output a second control signal (e.g., the controlsignal 866) to a second switch (e.g., the transistor 810) to affect asecond current flowing through a secondary winding of the powerconverter, the secondary winding being coupled to the primary winding;and generate a second input signal (e.g., the input signal 980). Thesecond transmitter (e.g., the transmitter 902) is configured to receivethe second input signal and generate a second current (e.g., the current922) in response to the second input signal. The first receiver (e.g.,the receiver 904) includes a second coil (e.g., the coil 710) configuredto generate a second magnetic field based at least in part on the secondcurrent flowing through the second coil, a second Hall effect sensor(e.g., the Hall effect sensor 730) configured to sense the secondmagnetic field, and a second comparator (e.g., the comparator 750)configured to receive a third sensor voltage and a fourth sensor voltagefrom the second Hall effect sensor. The first receiver (e.g., thereceiver 904) is configured to receive the second current and generate asecond output signal (e.g., the output voltage 982) based at least inpart on the second current. The first controller is configured toreceive the second output signal. For example, the system is implementedaccording to at least FIG. 7 and/or FIG. 8.

In certain examples, the first controller (e.g., theprimary-side-regulation controller 806), the first transmitter (e.g.,the transmitter 802), and the first receiver (e.g., the receiver 904)are located on a first chip, and the second controller (e.g., thesecondary-side-regulation controller 808), the second receiver (e.g.,the receiver 804), and the second transmitter (e.g., the transmitter902) are located on a second chip. The first chip and the second chipare different. In some examples, the first controller (e.g., theprimary-side-regulation controller 806), the first transmitter (e.g.,the transmitter 802), the first receiver (e.g., the receiver 904), thesecond controller (e.g., the secondary-side-regulation controller 808),the second receiver (e.g., the receiver 804), and the second transmitter(e.g., the transmitter 902) are located on a same chip.

According to certain embodiments, a method for transmitting andreceiving includes generating a first current, receiving the firstcurrent, generating, by a coil, a magnetic field based at least in parton the first current flowing through the coil, and sensing the magneticfield by a Hall effect sensor. The Hall effect sensor is electricallyisolated from the coil. Additionally, the method includes generating afirst voltage and a second voltage by the Hall effect sensor, receivingthe first voltage and the second voltage, and generating an outputvoltage based at least in part on the first voltage and the secondvoltage. For example, the method is implemented according to at leastFIG. 3A.

According to some embodiments, a method for a power converter includesoutputting a first control signal (e.g., the control signal 464) to afirst switch (e.g., the power switch 430) to affect a first currentflowing through a primary winding of a power converter, generating aninput signal (e.g., the input signal 480), receiving the input signal,generating a current (e.g., the current 422) in response to the inputsignal, and receiving the current. Additionally, the method includesgenerating a magnetic field by a coil based at least in part on thecurrent flowing through the coil, sensing the magnetic field by a Halleffect sensor, receiving a first sensor voltage and a second sensorvoltage from the Hall effect sensor, and generating an output signal(e.g., the output voltage 482) based at least in part on the firstsensor voltage and the second sensor voltage. Moreover, the methodincludes receiving the output signal, and outputting a second controlsignal to a second switch (e.g., the transistor 410) to affect a secondcurrent flowing through a secondary winding of the power converter. Thesecondary winding is coupled to the primary winding. For example, themethod is implemented according to at least FIG. 4.

According to certain embodiments, a method for a power converterincludes outputting a first control signal (e.g., the control signal566) to a first switch (e.g., the transistor 510) to affect a firstcurrent flowing through a secondary winding of a power converter,generating an input signal (e.g., the input signal 580), receiving theinput signal, generating a current (e.g., the current 522) in responseto the input signal, and receiving the current. Additionally, the methodincludes generating a magnetic field, by a coil (e.g., the coil 310),based at least in part on the current flowing through the coil, sensingthe magnetic field by a Hall effect sensor (e.g., the Hall effect sensor330), receiving a first sensor voltage and a second sensor voltage fromthe Hall effect sensor, and generating an output signal (e.g., theoutput voltage 582) based at least in part on the first sensor voltageand the second sensor voltage. Moreover, the method includes receivingthe output signal, and outputting a second control signal (e.g., thecontrol signal 564) to a second switch (e.g., the power switch 530) toaffect a second current flowing through a primary winding of the powerconverter. The primary winding is coupled to the secondary winding. Forexample, the method is implemented according to at least FIG. 5.

According to some embodiments, a method for a power converter (e.g., thepower converter 800 and/or the power converter 1000) includes outputtinga first control signal (e.g., the control signal 864) to a first switch(e.g., the power switch 830) to affect a first current flowing through aprimary winding of a power converter, generating a first input signal(e.g., the input signal 880), receiving the first input signal,generating a first current (e.g., the current 822) in response to thefirst input signal, and receiving the first current. Additionally, themethod includes generating a first magnetic field, by a first coil(e.g., the coil 610), based at least in part on the first currentflowing through the first coil, sensing the first magnetic field by afirst Hall effect sensor (e.g., the Hall effect sensor 630), receiving afirst sensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the first Halleffect sensor, generating a first output signal (e.g., the outputvoltage 882) based at least in part on the first sensor voltage and thesecond sensor voltage, receiving the first output signal, and outputtinga second control signal (e.g., the control signal 866) to a secondswitch (e.g., the transistor 810) to affect a second current flowingthrough a secondary winding of the power converter. The secondarywinding is coupled to the primary winding. Moreover, the method includesgenerating a second input signal (e.g., the input signal 980), receivingthe second input signal, and generating a second current (e.g., thecurrent 922) in response to the second input signal, receiving thesecond current. Also, the method includes generating a second magneticfield, by a second coil (e.g., the coil 710), based at least in part onthe second current flowing through the second coil, sensing the secondmagnetic field by a second Hall effect sensor (e.g., the Hall effectsensor 730), receiving a third sensor voltage and a fourth sensorvoltage from the second Hall effect sensor, generating a second outputsignal (e.g., the output voltage 982) based at least in part on thethird sensor voltage and the fourth sensor voltage, and receiving thesecond output signal. For example, the method is implemented accordingto at least FIG. 7 and/or FIG. 8.

For example, some or all components of various embodiments of thepresent invention each are, individually and/or in combination with atleast another component, implemented using one or more softwarecomponents, one or more hardware components, and/or one or morecombinations of software and hardware components. In another example,some or all components of various embodiments of the present inventioneach are, individually and/or in combination with at least anothercomponent, implemented in one or more circuits, such as one or moreanalog circuits and/or one or more digital circuits. In yet anotherexample, various embodiments and/or examples of the present inventioncan be combined.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that thereare other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scopeof the appended claims.

1.-5. (canceled)
 6. A system for a power converter, the systemcomprising: a first controller system including a first controller and atransmitter; one or more wires; and a second controller system connectedto the first controller system through the one or more wires, the secondcontroller system including a second controller and a receiver; wherein:the first controller is configured to: output a first control signal toa first switch to affect a first current flowing through a primarywinding of a power converter; and generate an input signal; and thetransmitter is configured to receive the input signal and generate acurrent in response to the input signal; wherein: the receiver includesa coil configured to generate a magnetic field based at least in part onthe current flowing through the coil, a Hall effect sensor configured tosense the magnetic field, and a comparator configured to receive a firstsensor voltage and a second sensor voltage from the Hall effect sensor;and the receiver is configured to receive the current and generate anoutput signal based at least in part on the current; wherein the secondcontroller is configured to: receive the output signal; and output asecond control signal to a second switch to affect a second currentflowing through a secondary winding of the power converter, thesecondary winding being coupled to the primary winding.
 7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein: the Hall effect sensor includes a first electrode and asecond electrode; and the comparator includes a first input terminal anda second input terminal.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the Halleffect sensor is configured to generate the first sensor voltage at thefirst electrode and the second sensor voltage at the second electrode.9. The system of claim 8 wherein the comparator is configured to:receive the first sensor voltage at the first input terminal; receivethe second sensor voltage at the second input terminal; and generate theoutput signal based at least in part on the first sensor voltage and thesecond sensor voltage.
 10. A system for a power converter, the systemcomprising: a first controller system including a first controller and areceiver; one or more wires; and a second controller system connected tothe first controller system through the one or more wires, the secondcontroller system including a second controller and a transmitter;wherein: the second controller is configured to: output a first controlsignal to a first switch to affect a first current flowing through asecondary winding of a power converter; and generate an input signal;and the transmitter is configured to receive the input signal andgenerate a current in response to the input signal; wherein: thereceiver includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field basedat least in part on the current flowing through the coil, a Hall effectsensor configured to sense the magnetic field, and a comparatorconfigured to receive a first sensor voltage and a second sensor voltagefrom the Hall effect sensor; and the receiver is configured to receivethe current and generate an output signal based at least in part on thecurrent; wherein the first controller is configured to: receive theoutput signal; and output a second control signal to a second switch toaffect a second current flowing through a primary winding of the powerconverter, the primary winding being coupled to the secondary winding.11. The system of claim 10 wherein: the Hall effect sensor includes afirst electrode and a second electrode; and the comparator includes afirst input terminal and a second input terminal.
 12. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the Hall effect sensor is configured to generate thefirst sensor voltage at the first electrode and the second sensorvoltage at the second electrode.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein thecomparator is configured to: receive the first sensor voltage at thefirst input terminal; receive the second sensor voltage at the secondinput terminal; and generate the output signal based at least in part onthe first sensor voltage and the second sensor voltage.
 14. A system fora power converter, the system comprising: a first controller; a firsttransmitter; a first receiver; one or more first wires; one or moresecond wires; a second controller; a second receiver connected to thefirst transmitter through the one or more first wires; and a secondtransmitter connected to the first receiver through the one or moresecond wires; wherein: the first controller is configured to: output afirst control signal to a first switch to affect a first current flowingthrough a primary winding of a power converter; and generate a firstinput signal; and the first transmitter is configured to receive thefirst input signal and generate a first current in response to the firstinput signal; wherein: the second receiver includes a first coilconfigured to generate a first magnetic field based at least in part onthe first current flowing through the first coil, a first Hall effectsensor configured to sense the first magnetic field, and a firstcomparator configured to receive a first sensor voltage and a secondsensor voltage from the first Hall effect sensor; and the secondreceiver is configured to receive the first current and generate a firstoutput signal based at least in part on the first current; wherein thesecond controller is configured to: receive the first output signal;output a second control signal to a second switch to affect a secondcurrent flowing through a secondary winding of the power converter, thesecondary winding being coupled to the primary winding; and generate asecond input signal; the second transmitter is configured to receive thesecond input signal and generate a second current in response to thesecond input signal; wherein: the first receiver includes a second coilconfigured to generate a second magnetic field based at least in part onthe second current flowing through the second coil, a second Hall effectsensor configured to sense the second magnetic field, and a secondcomparator configured to receive a third sensor voltage and a fourthsensor voltage from the second Hall effect sensor; and the firstreceiver is configured to receive the second current and generate asecond output signal based at least in part on the second current;wherein the first controller is configured to receive the second outputsignal.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein: the first controller, thefirst transmitter, and the first receiver are located on a first chip;the second controller, the second receiver, and the second transmitterare located on a second chip; the first chip and the second chip aredifferent.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the first controller, thefirst transmitter, the first receiver, the second controller, the secondreceiver, and the second transmitter are located on a same chip. 17.(canceled)
 18. A method for a power converter, the method comprising:outputting a first control signal to a first switch to affect a firstcurrent flowing through a primary winding of a power converter;generating an input signal; receiving the input signal; generating acurrent in response to the input signal; receiving the current;generating a magnetic field by a coil based at least in part on thecurrent flowing through the coil; sensing the magnetic field by a Halleffect sensor; receiving a first sensor voltage and a second sensorvoltage from the Hall effect sensor; generating an output signal basedat least in part on the first sensor voltage and the second sensorvoltage; receiving the output signal; and outputting a second controlsignal to a second switch to affect a second current flowing through asecondary winding of the power converter, the secondary winding beingcoupled to the primary winding.
 19. A method for a power converter, themethod comprising: outputting a first control signal to a first switchto affect a first current flowing through a secondary winding of a powerconverter; generating an input signal; receiving the input signal;generating a current in response to the input signal; receiving thecurrent; generating a magnetic field, by a coil, based at least in parton the current flowing through the coil; sensing the magnetic field by aHall effect sensor; receiving a first sensor voltage and a second sensorvoltage from the Hall effect sensor; generating an output signal basedat least in part on the first sensor voltage and the second sensorvoltage; receiving the output signal; and outputting a second controlsignal to a second switch to affect a second current flowing through aprimary winding of the power converter, the primary winding beingcoupled to the secondary winding.
 20. A method for a power converter,the method comprising: outputting a first control signal to a firstswitch to affect a first current flowing through a primary winding of apower converter; generating a first input signal; receiving the firstinput signal; generating a first current in response to the first inputsignal; receiving the first current; generating a first magnetic field,by a first coil, based at least in part on the first current flowingthrough the first coil; sensing the first magnetic field by a first Halleffect sensor; receiving a first sensor voltage and a second sensorvoltage from the first Hall effect sensor; generating a first outputsignal based at least in part on the first sensor voltage and the secondsensor voltage; receiving the first output signal; outputting a secondcontrol signal to a second switch to affect a second current flowingthrough a secondary winding of the power converter, the secondarywinding being coupled to the primary winding; generating a second inputsignal; receiving the second input signal; generating a second currentin response to the second input signal; receiving the second current;generating a second magnetic field, by a second coil, based at least inpart on the second current flowing through the second coil; sensing thesecond magnetic field by a second Hall effect sensor; receiving a thirdsensor voltage and a fourth sensor voltage from the second Hall effectsensor; generating a second output signal based at least in part on thethird sensor voltage and the fourth sensor voltage; and receiving thesecond output signal.